The Ombudsman welcomed the reform proposals for the planning authority with regard to the audit office.

The report recommends that the audit officer be elevated to the rank of Planning Ombudsman, falling under the office of the national Ombudsman. Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino, a former Chief Justice, suggested that the environment should be added to the responsibilities of the proposed Planning Ombudsman who would be known as Planning and Environment Commissioner.

Dr Said Pullicino pointed out that he had criticised the present set-up whereby the auditor, whose role is to scrutinise the planning authority, is dependent on the same authority.

The issue came to the fore in 2007 when Andrew Calleja, then chairman of the authority, refused to renew the contract of the auditor's investigating officer Carmel Cacopardo.

"These are radical changes that are bound to ensure full independence and autonomy to the Planning Ombudsman and the way in which this Office conducts its operations," the Ombudsman said in his reaction yesterday.

"At the same time, it is appreciated that these changes reflect a shift in the government's outlook and show a commitment to accept that a vital institution such as the Malta Environment and Planning Authority will be subjected in a most open and transparent manner to the scrutiny of an office that is truly independent, with full powers to investigate its actions, including allegations of maladministration."

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